By Dennie Quill, ContributorEARLIER THIS week I overheard some people heaping praises on the head of Desmond McKenzie. They were reacting to the news that our Mayor had declared war on illegal garages, first striking in Patrick City, where the team found rotting husks of motor vehicles, scrap iron and other waste. Judging from the photos displayed in the media, this site is a dump and breeding ground for vermin. How the citizens have remained so silent with these activities persisting in their community is quite puzzling to me.
Declared one of the men: "Desmond McKenzie is the best Mayor Kingston has ever seen." A huge claim for sure, but Mr. McKenzie gives one the impression that he intends to make a mark on the capital. He started by boldly demonstrating to sidewalk vendors that he was serious about regulating their activities and he won that battle. Then he took on illegal billboards and he appeared to have reaped fair success in this effort. Now he is tackling roadside garages and he is already sounding a warning for owners of vacant lots to get them cleaned up.
Every victory that Mayor McKenzie scores inures to the benefit of the citizens and the communities in which they live. When Desmond McKenzie became Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew he found a neglected city which was crying out for rejuvenation. He has grasped this opportunity with both hands and he has an able ally in the form of tough-talking Town Clerk, Errol Greene. Mr. McKenzie has been able to accomplish some things in a tough environment, because lurking in the shadows are those who have threatened physical harm. If given the resources to reasonably provide for the maintenance of the city's existing facilities, Kingston will be able to regain its status as a city of cultural significance and historical importance in this hemisphere. At this time there is just too much filth around the city and there are too many areas of Kingston which languish as eyesores.
HOW COULD WE?
Look at New Kingston, the nation's major corporate and business district. How could we allow stagnant water to settle near the Football Federation headquarters? The stench of ganja smoke mingled with garbage assails the nostrils day after day. This rapidly escalating decay of New Kingston is cause for concern. Who is going to transform this area? Filth bothers visitors and with the World Cup inching closer we need to address these issues. Filth should also bother every one of us.
Undoubtedly, a well-run city is the work of outstanding officials but citizens have a huge part to play. Mayor McKenzie should consider establishing a Clean City Coalition representing collaboration between the business and public sectors working to revive the civic pride campaigns of former years. A shared vision is essential and there is need to develop an overall strategy to arrest the rot. Perhaps the downtown Kingston Business District has this on their agenda. But alas, they have been creeping when the situation demands sprinting to the finish line.
We also welcome the public education programme which the Mayor intends to embark on. Hopefully this will go a far way in reversing anti-social behaviours such as urinating and spitting in public, noise nuisance as well as the indiscriminate disposal of garbage. We cannot continue to choke our gullies and waterways with construction waste, discarded appliances, food containers and decaying matters. The Mayor estimates that nearly $500 million of revenue goes uncollected each year. Well Mr. Mayor what are you doing about the multi-storey building on St. Lucia Avenue which has become a dumping ground? In a previous column we suggested that this be converted into a parking garage to facilitate workers and people doing business in New Kingston.
Talking about parking brings me to another point. Why should vehicles that are illegally parked be taken to a pound? How much does it cost the KSAC to staff and run these pounds each year? And what about the wrecking service? If the wreckers are not owned by the KSAC, it would be interesting to know what percentage of the fine goes to the wrecking service. Remember the KSAC is being cheated by more than 3,000 barbers so it badly needs revenue. This is money that the KSAC could add to its tills, by simply getting traffic wardens to ticket persons who are illegally parked. If these fines are not paid the offender will not be able to get insurance or licence the vehicle. With computer link-up, it should not be difficult to keep track of these offenders.
I suggest that the KSAC examines this issue to see if there is not a more efficient way to conduct business. Mayor McKenzie is off to an impressive start and he needs the support of every citizen of the municipality. Kingston is worth the effort.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who can be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com
